For most of us, deodorant or antiperspirant use is a part of our daily routine; up for a shower and then a good application of deodorants and antiperspirants to keep body odor or excessive sweat at bay.
But have you ever thought about the ingredients that you are applying to your skin when you use antiperspirants and other personal care products?
You may have heard the scare stories, but could antiperspirant use really be linked to breast cancer risk, kidney disease or Alzheimer’s disease?
Are there harmful chemicals in deodorant?
Yes, some deodorants contain potentially harmful chemicals. Traditional deodorants and antiperspirants often contain aluminum, parabens, and synthetic fragrances, which have been linked to health concerns such as breast cancer, hormone disruption, and skin irritation.
However, there are natural and aluminum-free deodorant options available that use safer, plant-based ingredients to provide odor protection without the potential risks associated with these harmful chemicals.
Aluminum is one of the most common ingredients found in traditional antiperspirants, and it works by blocking sweat glands to prevent sweating. However, there has been some concern that the use of aluminum-based antiperspirants may increase the risk of breast cancer.
This is because aluminum has been found in breast tissue, and some studies have suggested a potential link between aluminum exposure and the development of breast cancer.
In addition to aluminum, traditional deodorants and antiperspirants may also contain parabens, which are synthetic preservatives that are commonly used in cosmetics and personal care products. Parabens have been linked to hormone disruption, which can lead to reproductive and developmental issues.
Finally, many traditional deodorants and antiperspirants contain synthetic fragrances, which can be made up of hundreds of different chemicals that are not required to be listed on the label. These fragrances have been linked to skin irritation, allergies, and respiratory issues.
Fortunately, there are natural and aluminum-free deodorant options available that use safer, plant-based ingredients like baking soda, coconut oil, and essential oils to provide odor protection.
These natural deodorants work by neutralizing odor-causing bacteria rather than blocking sweat glands, and they are free from potentially harmful chemicals like aluminum, parabens, and synthetic fragrances.
Deodorants vs. Antiperspirants: Health Benefits and Risks
Sweating in itself might be unpleasant, but is a normal, healthy biological process which helps us cool down and remove toxins.
Antiperspirants and Deodorants are used to help control body odor, however, it’s important to know that deodorants work very differently from antiperspirants.
Antiperspirants work to actively reduce or stop sweating, while deodorant increases skin pH levels to battle bacteria and keep body odor under control. There is now a growing level of research which suggests that using antiperspirants may not be the healthiest choice.
While there are a few studies showing evidence of antiperspirants being a risk factor for scary side effects like breast cancer, allergic reactions and kidney disease, it certainly makes sense that any personal care products featuring potentially harmful chemicals might have generally negative side effects.
While parabens and aluminium seem to cause greater concern around antiperspirants for most people, it’s true that we should look at all the ingredients in any product we are applying to our skin. For example, propylene glycol is commonly used in deodorant sticks and may be linked to allergic reactions.
So while there isn’t enough evidence to suggest that deodorants and antiperspirants are any less safe than other chemicals are found in the body wash, perfume, body lotion etc that we use on the daily. it does no harm to be aware of possible risk factors.
Deodorants do not contain the aluminum based compounds used extensively in pharmaceutical products, and there are even natural deodorants available that are free from chemicals, aluminum salts, and other deodorant ingredients that may be harmful.
Parabens in deodorant and antiperspirants
Parabens are used in cosmetic products to prevent the growth of fungi, bacteria and yeast on the deodorant. Again, the concern here is that research suggests that parabens may cross through the skin and mimic estrogen, a female hormone which is essential for sexual development and breast health.
This relates to the breast cancer risk, however breast cancer research suggests that the levels of parabens found in cosmetic products is not high enough to have an impact on breast cancer risk.
The national cancer institute asserts that while there is no clear evidence linking the use of antiperspirants deodorants and other cosmetic products to breast cancer, more research is needed to establish if the absorption of aluminum compounds, applied daily in such proximity to breast tissue and the lymph nodes, might promote the growth of cancer cells.
Some scientists, however, caution against using antiperspirants or indeed any aluminum based products, citing that cosmetics applied to the skin might actually carry more risk than the foods we eat- after all, our liver and digestive system is equipped to metabolise food we eat, while substances we apply to the skin can pass freely in to the bloodstream.
Antiperspirants Facts About Cancer, Aluminum, Alzheimer’s and More
The good news is that the National Kidney foundation warn against antiperspirant use only in people with extremely weak kidney function- the concern is that the aluminum salts added to prevent sweating may be absorbed in to the skin. This should not be of concern to those who are generally in good health.
Research from the Journal of Applied Toxicology backs up this idea that some of the ingredients in deodorants and antiperspirants may get past the epidermis and be absorbed and stored in fat cells, which are prevalent in the underarm area.
A lot of the concern about antiperspirants and breast cancers likely arises from the fact that most breast cancers grow in the upper outer part of the breast, close to the armpit.
That said, some studies backed by the american cancer society have found that breast cancer tissue doesn’t appear to have more aluminum than normal breast tissue. It’s clear that we need a systematic review and lots more studies looking at how aluminum and other chemicals may or may not contribute to how breast cancers develop.
However, it’s still no stretch to believe that we should be careful about what underarm products we choose to use to apply to some of the most sensitive skin on the body. If you’d like to avoid aluminium and other chemicals for health reasons, read on!
What you can use instead of antiperspirants?
If you’d like to ditch antiperspirant deodorants, there are lots of great natural deodorants available on the market. These kill bacteria and fight body odor without using aluminum as an active ingredient, instead using other ingredients with natural sources.
These are often much kinder to sensitive skin, and are often cruelty-free and plastic-free deodorants too! You can even buy natural deodorant for sensitive skin
Common anti-bacteria ingredients found in natural alternatives to antiperspirant include sodium bicarbonate and essential oils. Importantly, natural deodorants don’t block the sweat ducts but instead allow your sweat glands to do their thing- sweat- which is surely much better for your health!
Have we lost you at this point? Sure, when your body produces sweat it can be unpleasant, but your sweat glands are actually doing the important job of keeping your body cool and healthy.
Without the parabens and aluminum salts, you can not only put aside any thoughts of increased risk of breast cancer, you can also embrace a healthier , more environmentally friendly way to combat body odor.
There are lots of different types of natural deodorant out there, even natural deodorant sticks- which won’t be so different to the ones you buy on the high street, other than their high quality, natural formulation and zero waste packaging of course!
Antiperspirants Vs Deodorant : The Bottom Line
Whether you choose an antiperspirant or a deodorant is entirely a matter of personal choice.
In reviewing the available evidence, including from the American cancer society, it seems unlikely that using an antiperspirant will increase your risk of developing breast cancer, or indeed Alzheimer disease.
However, there is still enough evidence of what overexposure to aluminum and chemicals, in general, can do to our bodies, so if swapping to a natural deodorant is something you are interested in doing, it’s well worth considering!
As a rule, we do promote swapping to natural alternatives where possible, both for your health of yourself and for the planet too!
FAQs on Is Deodorant Harmful?
What are the potential risks of using traditional deodorants and antiperspirants?
Traditional deodorants and antiperspirants may contain aluminum, parabens, and synthetic fragrances, which have been linked to health concerns such as breast cancer, hormone disruption, and skin irritation.
Are natural deodorants safe to use?
Natural deodorants are generally considered to be safer than traditional deodorants and antiperspirants because they are free from potentially harmful chemicals like aluminum, parabens, and synthetic fragrances.
However, it is important to choose a natural deodorant that is free from irritating ingredients and that works well for your body chemistry.
Do natural deodorants work as well as traditional deodorants?
Natural deodorants can be just as effective as traditional deodorants, but it may take some trial and error to find a natural deodorant that works well for your body chemistry. Some people may experience an adjustment period when switching from a traditional deodorant to a natural deodorant.
How do I know if a deodorant is natural and free from harmful chemicals?
Check the ingredient list on the label of the deodorant to see if it contains aluminum, parabens, or synthetic fragrances. Look for deodorants that use natural ingredients like baking soda, coconut oil, and essential oils for odor protection.
Can I still sweat if I use a natural deodorant?
Yes, natural deodorants do not block sweat glands like traditional antiperspirants. Instead, they work by neutralizing odor-causing bacteria to reduce body odor.
What are some natural deodorant brands to try?
Some popular natural deodorant brands include Native, Schmidt’s, and Tom’s of Maine. These brands use natural ingredients and eco-friendly packaging options to provide effective odor protection without harmful chemicals.
